An Auckland Council Organisation CLIMATE CHANGE STRATEGY Climate change impacts Watercare on an environmental and social level. Key areas are represented by these five United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Climate change adaptation: To adapt our organisation to be resilient in a changing climate Climate change mitigation: To operate a low carbon organisation, aiming for net zero carbon by 2050 Our goals Project Manukau, Māngere Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrades, reducing emissions by 80 per cent 2003 Master’s degree thesis on climate change impact at Watercare completed, providing understanding of the risks to the business 2009 Updated greenhouse gas methodology and inventory 2014 Energy Policy includes net zero emissions 2050 target 2016 Treatment plant design factors in sea level rise eg Snells-Algies Wastewater Treatment plant 2017 Tasman Tempest weather event prompts significant asset upgrades to improve resilience. Land around the worst-affected catchment in the Hūnua Ranges is being replanted to stabilise it. Signatory to the Climate Leaders’ Coalition 2018 First integrated report delivered Climate change adaptation and mitigation strategy established 2019 Update climate change modelling and information Understand water source resilience to a changing climate We are committed to taking action on climate change. We will work together to operate a low carbon organisation that is resilient in a changing climate by focusing on 14 portfolios of work. These areas make up our work plan and climate strategy through to 2025. We will proactively work with our suppliers, customers and stakeholders to achieve our climate goals. Understand network resilience to a changing climate Understand treatment plant resilience to a changing climate Integrate climate changes in our emergency preparedness Understand the effects on, and our responsibilities to, the environment Low carbon infrastructure delivery Reduction in process and treatment emissions Collaborate on the impacts of climate changes to development and land use Partner with utilities for long-term planning Energy neutrality at our two largest wastewater treatment plants Planting and carbon sinks Energy efficiency of our operations and generation of renewable energy Understand the impact of changing demand patterns www.watercare.co.nz Climate change is a global issue that requires significant and immediate action. The global climate has already changed at unprecedented levels and the main driver for this is a dramatic increase in greenhouse gas emissions from human activities. The global impacts of this changing climate will bring significant direct and indirect changes and challenges. These include the growing frequency of extreme weather events, more prolonged dry periods, rising sea levels and increased coastal flooding. Many of these changes have the potential to significantly impact water supply and wastewater services for Aucklanders, disrupting the service continuity provided by Watercare. There are a number of key concerns for Watercare which include: Water - Catchment land instability, water scarcity, diminishing raw water quality, on-site flooding, power/access road failures to plants, increasing pipe breakages, impacts on assets due to sea-level rise, dramatic changes in demand for water services with increasing peak demands, potential ‘stranded assets’ following land-use changes and sea-level rise. Wastewater - Decreased effectiveness of oxidation ponds, increasing probability of wastewater bypasses, on-site flooding, impacts on critical third-party services, changes to assimilative capacities, increased instances of consent non-compliances, submerged outfalls, migratory bird impacts, greater corrosion/odour issues, a greater number of overflows, increased pumping costs, increased saltwater intrusion and flotation of assets. As a business and a country this is one of the largest challenges that we face. We are committed to taking responsibility and to doing our bit. We have developed a climate change mitigation and adaptation strategy to guide the way we operate. • We will increase our resilience by making sure that the location, design and operation of infrastructure projects includes flexibility and the potential to adapt to future climate conditions. • We will reduce our emissions and operate a low carbon business, setting targets and establishing pathways to achieve net zero emissions. • We will re-look at how we deliver our major infrastructure programmes, requiring emissions to be considered as part of their design and operation. We will be innovative, collaborative and challenge our thinking. Our climate change journey so far Our focus going forward Reduce operational emissions by 45 per cent by the year 2030 Reduce infrastructure emissions by 40 per cent by the year 2025 targets